34th week

DID YOU KNOW THAT?

...The red spots that you noticed the other day on your belly (or thighs or buttocks) that are very itchy, are signs of an awkward (but harmless) condition, called "prurigo of pregnancy"? Skin problems are common in pregnancy. Prurigo of pregnancy is probably a combination of itching to the pregnant woman and atopic diathesis and occurs in approximately 20% of expectant women (i.e., about 1 in 300 pregnant women). Symptoms may persist for up to 3 months postpartum. The treatment usually given is some topical cream, if the doctor allows it, of course.

And with all that, the big day is now only a few weeks away! It would be good then to talk now to your doctor about the hospital he is co-operating, to visit it in order to become familiar with the area and of course, to talk with him about the financial part of childbirth.

Also, think about what you prefer in the way you want to give birth, although you should keep in mind that this decision of yours may change in the end. Talk to your doctor about your options and see the pros and cons of each method. In any case (and if there is no medical reason to impose a particular method), the choice is yours!

We can tell you in general that vaginal birth is more painful throughout its duration (you experience everything intensely, unless you get an epidural), but your system then recovers much more easily and quickly (our body is made this way by nature), and it is more economical too. Caesarean birth is totally painless while in the delivery room (performed either with general anaesthesia or epidural), but recovery is more difficult, you spend more days in the hospital and the cost is higher.